Muzzle flash simulator

ABSTRACT

A muzzle flash simulator for use in an airsoft gun, comprising an internal passage, a detector, a controller, and multiple illuminating components. In response to a projectile passing through and away from the internal passage, the simulator will be triggered and flash multi-color lights on a projectile passage in front of the simulator. When each color light is illuminated on the moving projectile at a specific intensity at specified time periods, because of an afterimage phenomenon of the human eye, the surface of the moving projectile reflects the corresponding color and leaves a multi-layered light-trail accordingly.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.63/122,484, filed Dec. 8, 2020, and U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/383,401 (now U.S. Pat. No. 11,215,419), filed Jul. 22, 2021, each ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a muzzle flash simulator for airsoftguns, and more particularly to a muzzle flash simulator capable ofleaving light trails.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Tracer units (e.g., ACETECH Tracer Unit: AT1000) can often be seen whenplaying MilSim games. Irradiating the airsoft tracer BBs (i.e., tracerprojectile, which have the same chemicals as ‘glow in the dark’ powderand paints) with UV light when the tracer BBs pass through the interiorof tracer units, so that the tracer BBs continue to glow for a shortperiod of time after leaving the tracer units.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a different kind of visual effect: muzzleflash effect, to simulate the visual effect of real firearm caused bythe sudden release of high temperature gas from the muzzle duringshooting. The present invention doesn't need said tracer BBs. Normalwhite projectile (e.g., plastic BBs) will be able to achieve the muzzleflash effect.

In some embodiments, a muzzle flash simulator for briefly illuminatinglight on a projectile passage in front of the muzzle flash simulatorwhen triggered, includes: an internal passage disposed through themuzzle flash simulator, wherein the projectile passage extends along theinternal passage; a first detector coupled to a controller andconfigured to transmit a trigger signal to the controller in response todetecting a projectile passing through the internal passage; a firstilluminating component coupled to the controller and a secondilluminating component coupled to the controller. The color or intensityof each one of the illuminating components (the first illuminatingcomponent and the second illuminating component) is tunable and can beprecisely controlled by the controller.

In such a manner, the muzzle flash simulator may be disposed at theairsoft gun's front end (the muzzle end of the barrel), wherein theprojectile passage extends along the internal passage. When the airsoftgun fires a projectile, the projectile passes through and away from theinternal passage of the muzzle flash simulator, the muzzle flashsimulator will be triggered, and then at least two colors of flashesbriefly illuminate the projectile passage in front of the muzzle flashsimulator. When the light of the individual color is briefly illuminatedon the moving projectile at a specific time period, because of anafterimage phenomenon of the human eye, the surface of the movingprojectile reflects the corresponding color and a trail having a mixedcolor could be obtained.

when the controller receives the trigger signal transmitted by the firstdetector, the controller may use a basic set of instructions to transmitthe illuminating commands, and each instruction of the basic set ofinstructions includes a setting value for each one of the illuminatingcomponents (e.g., the first illuminating component and the secondilluminating component) at an indicated time period. Thus, thecontroller indicates the time periods of the illuminating componentsindividually. The surface of the moving projectile reflects thecorresponding specific mixed color at specific time periods to obtain amulti-layer light beam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this disclosure and its advantages,reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate an embodiment, when the projectile passes throughand away from the muzzle flash simulator, uses the afterimage phenomenonof the human eye to leave a trail of light.

FIGS. 2A-2F are front views showing at least one illuminating componentoutside of an internal passage in accordance with some embodiments, tomix a specific color on the surface of the moving projectile at specifictime periods.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate an embodiment further comprising a tracer lightsource and the timing of flashing the light sources may be different bytaking a delay time into consideration, so that the capacitance of themuzzle flash simulator has enough time to charge and discharge.

FIGS. 4A-4K illustrate how to leave a multi-layer rainbow (Bifrost)trace when triggered.

FIGS. 5A-5K illustrate embodiments for activating dynamic beam effectswhen subsequent shots are triggered.

FIGS. 6A-6E shows an embodiment, comprising a plurality of detectors forcalculating the velocity of projectiles and then further adjusting eachspecified time period.

FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate a muzzle flash simulator further including acommunication unit for various user interfaces in other embodiments.

FIGS. 8A-8E illustrate when a light device is tilted past certainangles, the light device may turn on/off specific functions.

FIGS. 9A-9E illustrate the light device may automatically switch topredefined mode according to detected angle variations.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate the light device may automatically switchto the predefined mode according to predefined gestures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Please refer to FIG. 1A, a muzzle flash simulator 10 (hereinafter simplyreferred to as a “simulator 10”) may be applied to an airsoft gun 1(e.g., simulation gun, electric toy gun, paintball gun, gel blaster, andthe like) for briefly illuminating light on a projectile passage 3(hereinafter simply referred to as a “passage 3”) in front of thesimulator 10 when triggered. When a moving projectile 4 is illuminatedon the passage 3, the surface of the moving projectile 4 reflects arespective color, and then a trail 5 could be obtained by utilizing anafterimage phenomenon on eyes. The simulator 10 could be preferablyimplemented with a flash hider/suppressor/silencer/oppressor design(such as the Bifrost series from ACETECH).

FIG. 1B shows various cross-section views of the projectile 4 when itpasses through and away from the simulator 10. The simulator 10 mayinclude one flash light source 18 (hereinafter simply referred to as a“light source 18”), a controller 14, a first detector 16, and aninternal passage 12 disposed through the simulator 10 wherein thepassage 3 extends along the passage 12.

Referring to FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C, the first detector 16 may be disposedin the simulator 10 and coupled to the controller 14. The detector 16 isconfigured to transmit a trigger signal to the controller 14 in responseto detecting a projectile 4 passing through the passage 12 at apredetermined location. The at least one illuminating component is alsocoupled to the controller 14. In response to receiving the triggersignal from the detector 16, the controller 14 indicates theilluminating component for illuminating the passage 3 at specific timeperiods. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, there are four lightsources 18 disposed outside of the passage 12 in a radial arrangementfor illuminating the projectile 4 passing away from the passage 12. Thelight source 18 may also be disposed inside the internal passage 12 aslong as it can illuminate the projectile 4 passing away from the passage12. The light sources 18 may be disposed outside of the passage 12 in anon-radial arrangement (e.g., randomly located configuration), as shownin FIG. 2B, to further simulate the visual effect caused by suddenrelease of high temperature gas from the muzzle of real firearm.

FIG. 2C shows an example implementation, in which each of the lightsources 18 may include a first illuminating component 181 coupled to thecontroller 14, and a second illuminating component 182 coupled to thecontroller 14. The color or intensity of each illuminating component istunable and can be precisely controlled by the controller 14. The lightsource 18 is not limited to include two tunable illuminating components.It may include three or more tunable illuminating components. In anotherembodiment, as shown in FIG. 2D, each light source 18 includes threeLEDs of different colors (e.g., RGB LED or multicolored LED).Specifically, each light source 18 includes a red illuminating component183, a green illuminating component 184, and a blue illuminatingcomponent 185. More tunable illuminating components can mix moredifferent color combinations. If the red illuminating component 183 has255 tunable options and the green illuminating component 184 has 255tunable options, the controller 14 can control the illuminatingcomponents to mix 255*255 different color combinations. Each tunableoption may be a value of intensity (or color) of each illuminatingcomponent. Other options may be used; these two are provided as examplesonly and are not intended to be limiting.

The light source 18 may be a combination of the different illuminatingcomponents, as shown in FIG. 2E. A illuminating component 186 is a redLED. A illuminating component 187 is a green LED. A illuminatingcomponent 188 is a blue LED. In other embodiments, each light source 18may be a combination of two, or more than two light sources, as shown inFIG. 2F. A light source 191 is a combination of green and red LEDs; alight source 192 is a combination of green and blue LEDs; and a lightsource 193 is a combination of red, green and blue LEDs. An advantage ofthe present invention is that there is no need to dispose theilluminating components within a close enough configuration. When eachilluminating component illuminates on the moving projectile 4, even ifthe illuminating components are disposed far away from each other (e.g.,more than one centimeter), the surface of moving projectile 4 stillreflects colors. The trail 5 having a mixed color could still beobtained.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the simulator 10 may further include aplurality of tracer light sources 32. The plurality of tracer lightsources 32 may be arranged in a row (in parallel to the passage 12) andcoupled to the controller 14. The plurality of tracer light sources 32,when triggered by the detector 16, charge a tracer projectile (notshown, e.g., tracer BB, which is infused with phosphorescent materialthat absorbs lights) as it passes through the internal passage 12 whichmakes it glow for a while after leaving the simulator 10. It should benoted that the present invention doesn't need said tracer projectile forobtaining said muzzle flash effect. Normal white projectile (e.g.,plastic BBs) will be able to achieve the muzzle flash effect. Thedirection of illumination of the tracer light source 32 is differentfrom the direction of illumination of said light sources 18. Thedirection of illumination of said light sources may be perpendicular(but not limited to) to each other. As long as different light sourceshave an angle of more than 45 degrees between each other. It may beapplied to the present invention. The wavelength of the tracer lightsource 32 may be different from the wavelength of said light source 18.In an embodiment, the tracer light source 32 includes at least one DeepUV (DUV) LED, to produce a wavelength different from the wavelength oflight source 18. The Deep UV LED is the kind of light sourceparticularly suitable for the situation (when charging the tracerprojectile). The timing of activating the light sources 32 and 18 may bedifferent by taking a delay time into consideration, to reduceunnecessary power consumption. The simulator 10 of the invention is anaccessory that can be configured in a small, compact volume for use withthe muzzle of airsoft guns. The space inside simulator 10 can only beinstalled with a minimum number of capacitors. How fast the differentairsoft guns can fire the next shot will vary on devices: between about27 ms and 100 ms. Even the same airsoft gun can fire projectiles atdifferent time intervals via the user's choice. When the user fires theprojectile continuously for a short time, there are dozens (or evenhundreds) of projectiles within a few seconds to continuously triggerthe said muzzle flash effect, and the activation timing differencebetween the different light sources (effective utilization of timedifference) can be used to make the capacitor have enough time to chargeand discharge.

As shown in FIG. 3C, when illuminating light on the moving projectile 4too late, there will be a gap (which is undesired) between the simulator10 and the trail 5. But, illuminating light on the projectile 4 tooearly (before the projectile 4 reaching a plane 122 where the lightsource 18 is located, as illustrated in FIG. 3A) will cause unnecessarypower consumption. In another embodiment (not shown), a muzzle detector(not shown) may be installed close to the plane 122 of the light sources18, when the projectile 4 is detected to pass, the light sources 18 isimmediately triggered, there will be no gap between the simulator 10 andthe trail 5.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate how the controller 14 indicates the timeperiods of the illuminating components individually in response toreceiving the trigger signal from the first detector 16. In the presentembodiment, the first illuminating component 181 may be (but not limitedto) a red LED; the second illuminating component 182 may be (but notlimited to) a green LED. When the first detector 16 detects that theprojectile 4 passes through the passage 12 at a predetermined position(a plane 121 where the detector 16 is located, as illustrated in FIG.3A), the controller 14 receives the trigger signal transmitted from thedetector 16, and then uses a first set of instructions 101 as the basicset of instructions, to transmit illuminating commands to theilluminating components (e.g., the first illuminating component 181 andthe second illuminating component 182) individually. The first set ofinstructions 101 includes a first instruction and a second instruction.The first instruction includes a setting value (e.g., 100% emissionratio) at the indicated time period (e.g., 300 μs^(˜)900 μs) forilluminating component 181. The second instruction includes a settingvalue (e.g., 50% emission ratio) at the indicated time period (e.g., 300μs^(˜)900 μs) for illuminating component 182. In such a manner, thesimulator 10 can emit desired light options briefly at the indicatedtime period for leaving an orange light mixing trail #FF8200, as shownin FIG. 4B, and generate a single-layer light beam.

To distinguish trails having different colors in present application,the reference number of each trail having specific color will behereinafter represented by the value of corresponding Hex color code.

The period values of the indicated time periods need not be the same.The controller 14 may adjust each period value, depending on the desiredcolor-changing timing, to obtain a multi-layer light beam. In anembodiment, as shown in FIG. 4C, the controller 14 uses a second set ofinstructions 102 as the basic set of instructions, to transmitilluminating commands having different period values of indicated timeperiods. The second set of instructions 102 includes a third instructionand a fourth instruction. The third instruction includes a setting value(e.g., 100% emission ratio) at the indicated time period (e.g., 300μs^(˜)600 μs) for illuminating component 181. The fourth instructionincludes a setting value (e.g., 50% emission ratio) at the indicatedtime period (e.g., 300 μs^(˜)900 μs) for illuminating component 182. Insuch a manner, the simulator 10 can emit desired light options havingdifferent period values of the indicated time periods for generating themulti-layer light beam. As shown in FIG. 4D, the light mixing trail#FF8200 and a green light trail #008000 could be obtained in order, byusing the basic set of instructions having different period values ofthe indicated time periods, to transmit illuminating commands.

The simulator 10 of the foregoing embodiment may comprise: the internalpassage 12, disposed through the simulator 10 (and coaxial with theprojectile passage 3; the first detector 16, coupled to the controller14 and configured to transmit the trigger signal to the controller 14 inresponse to detecting the projectile 4 passing through the internalpassage 12; the light sources 18, configured to briefly illuminate lighton the projectile passage 12 in front of the simulator 10 aftertriggered, may comprise the first illuminating component 181 coupled tothe controller 14; and the second illuminating component 182 coupled tothe controller 14. Said illuminating components are tunable andprecisely controlled by the controller 14.

In response to receiving the trigger signal from the first detector 16,the controller 14 may transmit illuminating commands to saidilluminating components; the controller 14 may use a basic set ofinstructions to transmit illuminating commands, and each instruction ofthe basic set of instructions includes a setting value for each one ofthe illuminating components at an indicated time period to instruct theluminous intensity of each illuminating component at each specified timeperiod.

In such a manner, the simulator 10 may be attached to the muzzle ofairsoft guns. When firing, the projectile 4 passes through and away fromthe internal passage 12 of the simulator 10 (the simulator 10 will betriggered and at least two colors of lights briefly illuminated on thepassage 3 in front of the simulator 10), the light of each color isbriefly illuminated on the moving projectile 4 during a specific time,the surface of the moving projectile 4 reflects the corresponding color.Due to the afterimage phenomenon of human eye, the residual effect ofcolor mixing will be felt, and a color mixing trace will be brieflyleft.

When the light of individual colors is illuminated on the movingprojectile 4 at a specific intensity at each specified time period, thesurface of the moving projectile 4 reflects the corresponding mixedcolor according to the time period, which can further leave amulti-layer light trace.

The indicated time periods need not be the same. As shown in FIG. 4E,the controller 14 may indicate different time periods, depending on thedesired color-changing timing, to obtain the multi-layer light beam. Inan embodiment, the controller 14 uses a third set of instructions 103 asthe basic set of instructions, to transmit illuminating commands havingdifferent indicated time periods. The third set of instructions 103includes a fifth instruction and a sixth instruction. The fifthinstruction includes a setting value (e.g., 100% emission ratio) at oneindicated time period (e.g., 300 μs^(˜)600 μs) for illuminatingcomponent 181. The sixth instruction includes a setting value (e.g., 50%emission ratio) at another indicated time period (e.g., 600 μs^(˜)900μs) for illuminating component 182. In such a manner, the simulator 10can emit desired light options having different indicated time periodsfor generating the multi-layer light beam. As shown in FIG. 4F, the redlight trail #FF0000 and green light trail #008000 could be obtained inorder, by using the basic set of instructions having different indicatedtime periods to transmit illuminating commands.

After triggering (e.g. after some or each triggered shot), the settingvalues of the illuminating commands may vary with time. For example, asshown in FIGS. 4G and 4H, the controller 14 uses a fourth set ofinstructions 104 as the basic set of instructions, to transmitilluminating commands which vary with time at indicated time periodsafter receiving the trigger signal. The fourth set of instructions 104includes a seventh instruction and an eighth instruction. The seventhinstruction includes a setting value (for illuminating component 181):100% emission ratio, at indicated time period: 300 μs˜600 μs; and asetting value: 50% emission ratio, at indicated time period: 900 μs˜1500μs. The eighth instruction includes a setting value (for illuminatingcomponent 182): 50% emission ratio, at indicated time period: 600μs˜1200 μs; and a setting value: 100% emission ratio, at indicated timeperiod: 1200 μs˜1800 μs. In such a manner, as shown in FIG. 4I, the redlight trail #FF0000, a light mixing trail #FF8000 (Dark Orange), a lightmixing trail #7F7F00 (Olive), a light mixing trail #80FF00 (Chartreuse)and a Lime light trail #00FF00 could be obtained in order.

Another embodiment shows how to obtain a visual effect with more layers,as shown in FIG. 4J, by using three tunable illuminating components: ared first illuminating component R, a green second illuminatingcomponent G and a blue third illuminating component B. The controller 14may use a fifth set of instructions 105 as the basic set ofinstructions, including indicated time periods: A(300 μs to 700 μs),B(700 μs to 1100 μs), C(1100 μs to 1300 μs), D(1300 μs to 1500 μs),E(1500 μs to 1600 μs), F(1600 μs to 1650 μs) and G(1650 μs to 1675 μs),to obtain a light mixing trail #144B0C (Myrtle), a light mixing trail#32771E (Bilbao), a light mixing trail #EEC957 (Cream Can), a lightmixing trail #D22939 (Brick Red), a light mixing trail #880A1F(Burgundy), a light mixing trail #5F4672 (Honey Flower) and a lightmixing trail #393659 (Jacarta) in order. The controller 14 may graduallyshorten the periods of indicated time, to obtain a subtle change in thevisual effect of the light beam. Furthermore, how to adjust theilluminating components is not limited to the square shape (digitalshape) configuration as shown in FIG. 4H. The present invention mayadopt an analog shape configuration (e.g., a wave shape configuration),as shown in FIG. 4K, to make the beam effect vary more smoothly. Forexample, the controller 14 may include as many indicated time periodswith different setting values as possible in an extremely short periodof time (e.g., more than 10 indicated time periods with differentsetting values within 100 μs). Different combinations of differentilluminating components can be used for making the beam effect vary evenmore smoothly and more colorfully. The setting value may be emissionratio, emission intensity, indicated color, or Hex color code, but notlimited thereto. The indicated time period may include two (or more thantwo) setting values.

When a user shoots multiple shots (while triggered) within a shortperiod of time. The visual effect can become boring, as shown in FIG.5A, due to repetition. The present invention may adopt different sets ofinstructions for the subsequent shots to obtain a dynamic beam effect asshown in FIG. 5B.

In one embodiment, the controller 14 may keep monitoring and calculatinga received time interval of the trigger signal. Based on the timeinterval, the controller 14 can determine whether the user is shootingcontinuously or not. For example, as shown in FIG. 5C, the simulator 10may be configured to predefine a dynamic mode threshold (Threshold foractivating) 301 to be 600 ms. If the next trigger signal is receivedwithin 600 ms, the simulator 10 may automatically activate the dynamicmode: using a plurality of predetermined modes (instruction sets) tocontrol the illuminating components sequentially, the individual trace#E30000, the trace #FA8305 and the trace #ECE516 are specified atdifferent times in the individual shot. FIG. 5D shows a firstcombination of the sets of instructions, comprising a sixth set ofinstructions 106 (for use in the first shot), a seventh set ofinstructions 107 (for the use of the second shot), and an eighth set ofinstructions 108 (for the use of the third shot). When triggered, thecontroller 14 uses the sixth set of instructions 106 as the basic set ofinstructions to transmit illuminating commands to obtain a visual effectof a three-layer light beam. When a subsequent trigger signal isreceived within the threshold 301, the controller 14 uses the seventhset of instructions 107 to transmit illuminating commands, wherein atleast one setting value of the seventh set of instructions 107 isdifferent from the corresponding setting value of the sixth set ofinstructions 106 to obtain another beam effect different from theprevious shot. For example, how the setting values vary with time may bethe same but the indicated time periods are different, or the settingvalues are different at the same indicated time period. The amount ofthe combination of the sets of instructions may be more than three(e.g., four to ten, or even more), to obtain a more dynamic beam effect.

The foregoing embodiment may be configured to: when receiving asubsequent trigger signal from the first detector 16, the controller 14uses a subsequent set of instructions to transmit illuminating commandsto the illuminating components, wherein at least one setting value inthe subsequent set of instructions is different from the correspondingsetting value of said basic set of instructions. In this way, when theuser continuously shoots, a variety of different modes of light trailsare left in sequence, resulting in a dynamic beam effect as shown inFIG. 5B.

However, when the subsequent shot is triggered too quickly, theaforementioned pre-adjusted dynamic beam effect will not be able to begenerated as desired. For example, if you want to show a dynamic beameffect of a red trail and then switch to a green trail, when thesubsequent shot is triggered too quickly, it will be directly mixed intoa yellow trace.

As shown in FIGS. 5E, 5F, and 5G, a second threshold 302 for keepingusing the same pattern (set of instructions) may be defined to make surethe next pattern will not be used if the time interval is shorter thanthe threshold 302. For example, keeps using the same pattern until thetime interval between the first shot and the current shot is exceedingthe threshold 302, then switches to the next pattern.

For example, the threshold 302 may be 300 ms. When the time intervalbetween the first shot and the current shot is less than 300 ms, nomatter there are 2, 3, 6, even more than a dozen shots within 300 ms,keeps using the instructions 106 until exceeding 300 ms, then switchesto instructions 107 several shots until the time interval between thefirst shot of instructions 107 and the current shot exceeding 300 ms,then switched to next instruction, etc. In other words, the controller14 is configurable with the threshold 302 related to the time intervalof receiving trigger signals. In response to receiving the subsequenttrigger signal within the threshold 302, the controller 14 keeps usingthe basic set of instructions to transmit the illuminating commands; andin response to receiving the subsequent trigger signal exceeding thethreshold 302, the controller 14 uses a next set of instructionsdifferent from the basic set of instructions to transmit theilluminating commands for subsequent shots. In such a manner, althoughduring switching the patterns the undesired mixed effect will stillhappen, but generally a dynamic beam effect having three sets ofpatterns can still be obtained in order. The value of the threshold 302may be less than the threshold 301. Because the threshold 302 is theconfiguration to make sure that the dynamic beam effect can be obtainedafter activating the dynamic mode (by threshold 301)

As shown in FIGS. 5H, 5I, and 5J, the controller 14 may be configurablewith a third threshold 303 related to the time interval of receivingtrigger signals. In response to receiving the subsequent trigger signalwithin the threshold 303, the controller 14 may increase each indicatedtime period of the current instructions to transmit illuminatingcommands for subsequent shots, so that when more shots within a shortperiod of time, the length of each beam effect will become longer. Thevalue of the threshold 303 and the threshold 304 may be less than thethreshold 302, when the thresholds 303 and 304 are configured to furtherdifferentiate received time intervals to generate different beameffects.

As shown in FIG. 5H, in one embodiment, when the next shot is triggeredwithin the threshold 302 but not the threshold 303, uses the firstcombination of the sets of instructions (106, 107, and 108) and keepsusing the same pattern until exceeding the threshold 302. However, whenthe next shot is triggered within the threshold 303, as shown in FIG.5I, uses the first combination of the sets of instructions (106, 107,and 108) but increases each indicated time period of the instructions.Furthermore, when the next shot is triggered within the threshold 304,as shown in FIG. 5J, further increases each indicated time period of theinstructions to obtain an even longer beam effect.

How to increase each indicated time period of the instructions is notlimited to be proportional. For example, for the threshold 303, eachindicated time period of the instructions may be: a basic period (beingthe same to the threshold 302)+one unit (e.g., 400 μs+0.5(400 μs)=600μs). For the threshold 304, each indicated time period of theinstructions may be: a basic period (being the same to the threshold302)+two units (e.g., 400 μs+0.5(400 μs)*2=800 μs).

Please be noted that the exemplary configurations in FIGS. 5C to 5J onlyuses one combination of the sets of instructions (e.g., 106, 107, and108), and then modify the setting values based on said plurality ofthresholds associated with the plurality of different time intervals inresponse to receiving a subsequent trigger signal within any one of theplurality of thresholds. The controller 14 may also just include aplurality of combinations of the sets of instructions. When receivingmultiple trigger signals in the range of 100 ms to 600 ms, the firstcommand set combination may be selected. When receiving multiple triggersignals in the range of 30 ms to 100 ms, choose to use a second commandset combination. When receiving multiple trigger signals in the range of25 ms to 30 ms, select a third combination of the sets of instructions.

In one embodiment, when the time interval between receiving the triggersignal is not so fast, for example, when receiving multiple triggersignals in the range of 100 ms to 600 ms, the controller 14 uses thefirst combination of the sets of instructions: the sixth set ofinstructions 106, the seventh set of instructions 107 and the eighth setof instructions 108, to send illuminating commands. The continuousfiring will obtain three patterns of dynamic beam effect in turns.

When the time interval between receiving the trigger signal is fast to acertain extent, for example, when receiving multiple trigger signals inthe range of 30 ms to 100 ms, the second combination of the sets ofinstructions is used: the sixth set of instructions 106, the sixth setof instructions 106, the sixth set of instructions 106, the seventh setof instructions 107, the seventh set of instructions 107, the eighth setof instructions 108, the eighth set of instructions 108, the eighth setof instructions 108, the eighth set of instructions 108. This continuousshot takes turns to produce a dynamic beam effect in three patterns,each of which is reused three times. When the time interval betweenreceiving the trigger signal is further faster to a certain extent, forexample, when receiving multiple trigger signals in the range of 25ms˜30 ms, use the third combination of the sets of instructions (asshown in FIG. 5K): the sixth set of instructions 106 cumulative tentimes, the seventh set of instructions 107 cumulative ten times, theeighth set of instructions 108 cumulative ten times. The continuousshots will produce three patterns of dynamic beam effect in turns,wherein each pattern is reused ten times.

How fast the projectile 4 can fly (i.e., velocity) when shot fromdifferent airsoft guns may be different. The velocity of a flyingprojectile from some airsoft pistols may be 30 m/sec only, while thevelocity of the flying projectile from other airsoft rifles may be ashigh as 180 m/sec. While the indicated time period is the same, but thevelocity of the flying projectile is higher, the length of the beameffect will be longer. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, an airsoftrifle 2 can shoot the flying projectile at a velocity of 90 m/sec; andthe airsoft pistol 1 can shoot the flying projectile at a velocity of 30m/sec. When both airsoft guns using the same simulator 10 for shooting,if the setting is also the same, the trail 51 obtained by the airsoftrifle 2 will be longer than the trail 5 obtained by the airsoft pistol1. When the velocity of the flying projectile is too high, the length ofthe beam effect will be too long. This is a problem since the simulator10 is trying to simulate the visual effect of real firearm.

To solve said problem, the simulator 10 may further include a seconddetector 30, as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C. The second detector 30 iscoupled to the controller 14 and configured with the first detector 16to calculate the velocity of the projectile 4 passing through thedetectors. The detectors may be disposed in substantially parallel tothe passage 12. The controller 14 may adjust a duration of eachindicated time period of the instructions based on the calculatedvelocity. As shown in FIG. 6D, the airsoft rifle 2 may obtain the trail5 like the airsoft pistol 1. The beam effects having different lengthsin FIG. 6A may be adjusted to the beam effects having the same length inFIG. 6D, but not limited thereto. As shown in FIG. 6E, the controller 14may adjust each indicated time period by a predetermined ratio, so thatwhen the velocity is extremely fast (e.g., 180 m/sec), a trail 52 havinga reasonable length may still be obtained.

A conventional airsoft tracer usually only has one physical switch forpower on/off. It would be hard for the user (compared to themanufacturer) to choose desired color. The simulator 10 could furtherinclude a communication unit 22. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, thecommunication unit 22 can wirelessly communicate with a wireless device24 (e.g., a smartphone, a notebook, etc.) via a communication unit 26disposed on the wireless device 24. The wireless device 24 may have auser interface 28, on a touch screen 241, configured to allow the userto choose a predetermined (fine-tuned) pattern (e.g., 101, 102, 103,104, 105, or 106) for different color-varying effects or a predetermineddynamic beam effect.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7C, the user can choose desiredcolor via a user interface 28′, a color wheel adjustment interface,wherein a plurality of selectable options are all included in the colorwheel. Each option of the plurality of selectable options is associatedwith a respective instruction. An interface 280′ may display theselected color. For example, a color option A is selected and shown inthe interface 280′; the user may adjust the duration of the indicatedtime periods via an interface 281′ to further shorten or lengthendesired light beam effect; the user may choose the predetermined patternor dynamic beam effect via a user interface 282′; and the user may turnon/off specific functions (e.g., muzzle flash, UV tracer, etc.) of thesimulator 10, via a user interface 283.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7D, the user may independentlyadjust each tunable illuminating component via an interface 28″ (aplurality of slider bars). As shown in FIG. 7E, the user may also adjustall tunable illuminating components via an interface 29 (single hueslider). As shown in FIG. 7F, when the user selects a specific color(option), an area near interface 29 may further display a sign and aninterface 291 to display the selected color.

In another embodiment, when using an RGB LED (red, green, and bluelight-emitting diode, as shown in FIG. 2D), the techniques of thisdisclosure may be applied with respect to weapon-mounted lights(lighting equipment for the real gun or toy gun). A problem of themajority of weapon-mounted lights on the market today is that the userhas to use push-to-activate buttons for switching the operation modesmanually (the user can't do it without pushing the buttons). The otherproblem is that the user can't easily control the intensity of the lightwhen required. It may result in being too bright or too weak whenneeded. The other problem is that when the user forgets to turn off theswitch, the battery will be dead already when the user needs to use it.The other problem is that the user can't easily stay in a specificfunction when needed. The user needs to use push-to-activate buttons forstaying in the needed function.

The invention can further provide a different control method and motiondetection modes. When one of the motion detection modes is activated,the mounted light switches between operation modes automaticallyaccording to detected angle variations (in vertical or horizontalposition). The motion detection modes may further include setting valuesassociated with the detected angles. Please refer to FIG. 8A, a mountedlight device 112 may be adapted to airsoft gun 111. The mounted lightdevice 112 may include said motion detection modes. When the motiondetection modes are activated, the light device 112 may switch betweenoperation modes according to detected angle variations in verticalposition. For example, switch on the device or turn off it. The lightdevice 112 may also switch between operation modes according to detectedangle variations in the horizontal position (for example, rollrotation).

Please refer to FIG. 8B, when the device is tilted past a certain anglethe light device 112 may turn off specific functions (for example,lighting). Please refer to FIG. 8C, when orientation detected to beleaning forward past a certain angle, the light device 112 may turn onspecific functions (for example, lighting).

For ease of understanding, the following angle of the light device 112may be defined: When the direction is oriented substantially parallel tothe ground (in vertical or horizontal position), the direction has anangle of 0 degrees. When the direction is pointing downward (below thehorizontal), the value of the degree is with a negative angle value.When the direction is pointing upward (above the horizontal), the valueof the degree is with a positive angle value.

Please refer to FIG. 8D, for example, when orientation is detected to beleaning forward past an angle of −60 degrees, the light device 112 mayturn on the lighting. Please refer to FIG. 8E, when orientation isdetected to be leaning forward past an angle of −70 degrees, the lightdevice 112 may turn off the lighting.

The light device 112 is not limited to using an RGB LED. The lightdevice 112 may use a white LED, or RGB+W LED in one Chip. The lightdevice 112 may have multiple predefined modes of operation. For example,a really bright brightness of 3 W; a weaker brightness of 1 W; or strobemode (rapid on and off of the light). The light device 112 may use MCUor G sensor for determining the angle and switching modes. The lightdevice 112 may have multiple switches for power and functions.

The motion detection modes may have the following setting: Whenactivated, the light device 112 may switch between operation modesaccording to detected angle variations in vertical position. Forexample, when orientation is detected to be leaning forward past anangle of −60 degrees, the light device 112 may turn on the lightingautomatically; when orientation is detected to be leaning forward pastan angle of −70 degrees, the light device 112 may turn off the lightingautomatically; Rotating Right: When the current angle is between −20 and+20 vertically, rotating right past 60 degrees (as shown in FIG. 9B),and then return to 0 degrees (as shown in FIG. 9A), the light device 112may automatically switch to the next predefined mode (as shown in FIG.9C). Rotating Left: When the current angle is between −20 and +20vertically, rotating left past 60 degrees (as shown in FIG. 9D), andthen return to 0 degrees (as shown in FIG. 9E), the light device 112 mayautomatically switch to the previous predefined mode; Go up to 90degrees and then return to the 0 degree vertically (as shown in FIG. 10Ato 10B): Maximum brightness (self-Define).

The above definition may also be: 0 degrees when the left and rightdirections are perpendicular according to the normal angle when holdinggun; 0 degrees when the front and back directions are parallel to theground; the downward angle is with a negative value, and the upwardangle is with a positive value. The said embodiments are not limited byany of the details of the description, but rather should be consideredbroadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims. All changesand modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claimsare intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A muzzle flash simulator for briefly illuminatinglight on a projectile passage in front of the muzzle flash simulatorafter triggered, comprising: an internal passage disposed through themuzzle flash simulator; a first detector configured to transmit atrigger signal to the controller in response to detecting a projectilepassing through the internal passage; a first illuminating componentcoupled to the controller; and a second illuminating component coupledto the controller, wherein said illuminating components are tunable andprecisely controlled by the controller; in response to receiving thetrigger signal from the first detector, the controller transmitsilluminating commands to the illuminating components; the controlleruses a basic set of instructions to transmit the illuminating commands,and each instruction of the basic set of instructions includes a settingvalue for each one of the illuminating components at an indicated timeperiod; and after triggered, the setting values of the illuminatingcommands vary with time.
 2. The muzzle flash simulator of claim 1,wherein when receiving a subsequent trigger signal from the firstdetector, the controller uses a subsequent set of instructions totransmit the illuminating commands to the illuminating components,wherein at least one setting value in the subsequent set of instructionsis different from the corresponding setting value of said basic set ofinstructions.
 3. The muzzle flash simulator of claim 2, wherein thecontroller includes at least one combination of the sets ofinstructions; the controller modifies said setting values based on aplurality of thresholds associated with a plurality of different timeintervals, in response to receiving the subsequent trigger signal.